McIlduff Early Origins

The surname McIlduff was first found in Perthshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Pheairt) former county in the present day Council Area of Perth and Kinross, located in central Scotland. MacDuff, the Thane of Fife, portrayed by Shakespeare as the rival of Macbeth, was a myth created by medieval writers. However, the first Earl of the name, Gillemichel, did emerge by the time of King David I, and he and his descendants had privileges including the right to crown the King of Scotland and to lead the Scottish army. The MacDuff family was opposed to Robert the Bruce, who gained the throne in 1306, and Countess Isabel of Buchan, who was the sister of Duncan, Earl of Fife, was imprisoned for seven years.

McIlduff Spelling Variations

McIlduff Spelling Variations

The translation of Gaelic names in the Middle Ages was not a task undertaken with great care. Records from that era show an enormous number of spelling variations, even in names referring to the same person. Over the years McIlduff has appeared as MacDuff, McDuff, MacDhuibh (Gaelic) and others.

McIlduff Early History

McIlduff Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McIlduff research. Another 301 words (22 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1353, 1358, 1725, 1759, and 1889 are included under the topic Early McIlduff History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McIlduff Early Notables (pre 1700)

McIlduff Early Notables (pre 1700)

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was Isobel Macduff (1296-1358), the Countess of Buchan, best known for when she left her husband, the Earl of Buchan and stole his warhorses; William Duff of Braco...

Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McIlduff Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

Many of the ancestors of Dalriadan families who arrived in North America still live in communities along the east coast of Canada and the United States. In the American War of Independence many of the original settlers traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the ancestors of many Scots began recovering their collective national heritage through Clan societies, highland games, and other patriotic events. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name McIlduff or a variant listed above: James MacDuff, who settled in Maryland in 1747; John MacDuff settled in Virginia in 1772.

Contemporary Notables of the name McIlduff (post 1700)

Contemporary Notables of the name McIlduff (post 1700)

Gerry Mcilduff, Irish musician, former member of The Pretenders

Francis McIlduff, Irish musician, member of At First Light, an Irish Celtic music group

Motto

Motto

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Skordas, Guest. Ed. The Early Settlers of Maryland an Index to Names or Immigrants Complied from Records of Land Patents 1633-1680 in the Hall of Records Annapolis, Maryland. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1968. Print.

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The McIlduff Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The McIlduff Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.